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[Dick Stohr]

Here is a pic of the drop top I made, the hard part is to find the correct tension/slack that works the best.

[johnm]

Nice work Marty!  I'm glad you are with us.

Thanks Larry for the pictures.  Since these have been reasonably well balanced, I've given mine away and don't currently have one for a model.

This is a similar angle for the top offered at Grand Illusions.  link = Dropping top

[Marty]

This is a close up of mine, maybe I am using the wrong diameter string.

[johnm]

The shape of your string hooks looks very functional.  Regarding string diameter, the string should be small enough that the string does not 'roll' out of the hooks when the top is suspended by the string with the ends of the string clasped together before any twist in the string are made.  The string should not be so large that it is wedged into the hooks since that may prevent a clean release.

I have been assuming that "does not work right" means that the top was falling out of the string loop before you started twisting the string.  If that is not the case please describe your experience so we can think about other possible issues in design or technique.

 

[Marty]

I am trying to build up speed like the Grand Illusions video, by having it wind back up again before release. However, it keeps dropping prior to rewinding even when I put the ends back together as he does. So there is very little speed or spin. I think the notch  I made might be angled up ever so slightly causing this.

[johnm]

I think a rather limp string might allow the loop to stay on the hook better.  You might also attempt to twist the string some more (maybe a longer string) before the first unwinding so that the top has more spin on the first drop before the end of the twist.  A top as large as yours takes more time and energy to get up to speed.  If it is spinning too slowly at the bottom it may not be able to make the first re-twist before hopping off.

[Larry D.]

Marty and I spent a few hours together today.
We got his peg top spinning! 
Although the photos are quite good, it is even more beautiful in person.

I got to try my hand on a mini-lathe for the first time in my life and I actually made a cute little finger spinner
and a button of course. The undecorated finger spinner in the photo below is the one I made.

I now know that lathes are very cool! I am really tempted...Do I? ...Don’t I?

Marty, thanks for a very enjoyable time, the Snow Man you made, your finger spinners and your great instructions and patients. 

[Goose]

Nice finger spinner!  That looks GREAT!

Lathes are real fun, they call it a vorex for a reason. 

[Marty]

Although I am biased... you definitely should start spinning WOOD. You did great and, much better than my top spinning haha.
Let's make a top next time.

[johnm]

Congratulations Larry on making some wood chips and a nice top too.  Now there is no cure for the turning virus but there is a treatment.   Maybe you should start a pole asking whether you should get a lathe or not.

Marty, any more attempts with the drop top?  Nice snowman.  I bet you could change the design a little to make a pumpkin with a witch's hat that could be spun as a top.

[Marty]

Nice idea, I will attempt to make more tops with the brass tips I just received.

[Marty]

I modified an re-turned my first spin top and made a new one with brass points I received from Spintastics.

[jim in paris]

excellent , marty !
that looks a lot more like a good playable spintop

did you boomerang it yet ?

jim

[Dick Stohr]

GOOD LOOKIN !!!!!!!!!!!  Well done.

[Larry D.]

Those tops look real good to me.
Nice 2nd shot Marty!